Welcome to Exeter Respect Festival 2025: 28th Anniversary Celebrating Peace and Harmony Between Communities In Memory of Dr Anil Lee Exeter Respect Festival 2025 will mark the 28th anniversary of the first Respect Festival 1997 in Exeter, aimed to bring communities together to celebrate their differences and commonalities. This year our theme for 2025 is ‘Peace and Harmony Between Communities’. This year’s festival is in memory of Dr Anil Lee who was a precious member of Exeter Respect Festival’s Board of Directors. Her legacy will live and her hard work for all communities will be noted and resonated in our lives. Anil has touched the life of many in Exeter and in Devon and was an amazingly great believer in harmony between communities. It is so important to express our commitment to diversity; bringing all communities together to celebrate their friendship, peace and harmony, to allow us to live in a society free from prejudice, discrimination and racism. The 2025 festival will be bigger and better than ever, running from Saturday 7th June to Sunday 8th June in Belmont Park, Exeter. On Saturday, doors open to the public at 11:30am with acts performing from midday to 7pm, and from 11am to 6:15pm on Sunday. On the Mandela Stage we look forward to showcasing UK based international reggae recording artist Da Fuchaman from St Jamaica and his band Fire Blaze who will perform on Saturday. Sunday’s headliner will be announced soon. There will also be the Community Stage, full of exciting performances from talent hidden in our community, showcasing their cultural diversity. We are delighted that once again Exeter College will host the Diversity Stage for young people and artists from the community. Outdoor stages and Stephen Lawrence Open Mic will provide a kaleidoscope of performances and distinguished stars. There will be many outdoor processions and activities, plus familiar opportunities for visitors to sample the wealth of stalls providing everything from global food to fine clothing and handmade crafts, plus information about local communities and organisations, all delivered with a very genuine smile. Dr Suaad Genem Managing Director/Chair Exeter Respect CIC